Car rental, our ten simple tips

 Movements start again, short-term car rental also starts.

Whether it's a long journey, a business engagement or any special occasion, there are always - from case to case - numerous advantages when considering whether or not to rent a car for your travels.

There are also numerous doubts related to this choice: where is it convenient to rent? Is it good to choose additional insurance? Which medium makes sense to choose?

The current rental scenario requires the same precautions as always, with the addition of greater control by users over the sanitation and sanitation processes.

Therefore, the need for protection on the part of users does not change, and for this reason we have updated our ten simple but useful tips when they turn to a new rent-a-car.

Offers online

Now for any service it is worthwhile to take a look online first.

There are discounts, coupons, offers related to newsletter subscription and so on. Not to mention the price comparators, which at a glance allow you to quickly understand what to do. Even Amazon has recently taken the field with forms of rental yet to be tested.

The simplest advice, therefore, is to browse a bit by comparing prices and conditions in the various comparators , such as Rental cars, Expedia, Kayak and directly on the rental companies' sites.

You don't just look at the price

A bit like with the purchase of flights, it is good to pay attention to the various commissions, taxes, various taxes and accompanying services - sometimes mandatory - at the time of purchase

It is worth doing some proof of purchase to see what the lowest price online really is, provided you are looking for that.

Small car rentals or ... more well-known brands?

Car sanitizationThe small car rental always seems the best choice for those who value only the price, even if in reality there are low prices and bargains even in the most famous car rental brands .

Our advice, which must however be weighed according to your needs, is: for short, local trips, also rely on small car rentals; for long journeys, with an itinerary yet to be defined precisely, better large car rentals (you will easily find the various Europcar, Avis, Hertz and company companies also in other cities and at the airport).

Obviously this is subjective advice, which varies according to the situation. Get objective guarantees on the sanitation processes.

 

Rent a car at the airport?

Renting a vehicle at the airport can lead to surcharges, due to higher fares (although this is not always the case).

If you have the opportunity to travel by public transport and you are not particularly in a hurry, you could consider the rates offered by car rentals in the small city centers near the airport areas.

Obviously, only if the savings are sufficient to motivate the move (ask for quotes before leaving!). At the same time, pay attention to the fact that by booking online, you may find price cuts: at that point, it doesn't matter where you book. Despite this suggestion, comfort often prevails: the statistics of car rentals at the airport speak for themselves...

Search online at different times

On the Net you can find different prices on the same vehicle: the fluctuation of prices depends on the automatic discount dynamics applied by the various sites and, as we now know, on the famous yield management, which tracks all our requests and evaluates the importance attributed . Normally, prices may vary based on availability, the time you do the search and the advance with which you move to look for your vehicle.

Try it out, maybe surfing anonymously, saving is just around the corner!

Take some pictures of the rental car

To avoid discussions during the delivery phase, it would never hurt to photograph your vehicle from every angle. A smartphone is enough to easily demonstrate - in the event of disputes - any blows and signs that may have escaped in the previous damage analysis sheet that you deliver to the collection of the machine.

What kind of machine to choose? And when to choose it...

two boys with broken down cars Of course it depends on whether you want convenience or savings; whether you are in a hurry or not; if you need a large trunk and how long your journey takes. For one-day rentals, it's not a good idea to go too thin; the situation is different when it comes to rentals for several days or to reach inaccessible areas.

There is no shortage of economic and "comfortable" solutions (7 and 9-seater vans can be found without problems) but in the end the choice must be weighed, you have to find the right compromise between comfort and costs. Incidentally, an economical small-displacement car is likely to be inexpensive if you drive a lot on the highway, because fuel consumption at high engine revolutions will more likely increase.

In any case, whatever choice you make, act in time: book the type of vehicle online, vice versa you will have to settle for what remains ...

Read also: How to rent a car cheaply

Automatic gearbox vs. manual gearbox

If you are used to automatic transmission, it is better to avoid the manual which always requires a minimum of habit. But even if you are not and you already know that you will spend several hours in traffic, why not consider an automatic transmission? The driving experience will certainly be more relaxing!

Careful reading of the contract

It is always wise to read the contract carefully, to avoid running into clauses that you do not like.

Waste a few more minutes, but at least you know for sure what you are signing, especially in terms of deductibles and procedures in case of damage .

Get a phone number to answer someone to help you : with the big rental companies this is no longer a given.

At an insurance level, it is better to be sure of what is "covered" by the insurance included in the rental of the vehicle and what is not and also how the procedures are implemented, who covers the damage, when and how.

Switch with your bank / credit card as well, as some offer additional insurance when renting a car.

Navigator yes or no?

If you want to save something, bring it from home or simply use the maps on your smartphone.

In general, it is better to be organized: vice versa, any additional accessories you ask for will be charged at a high price.

Read also: Long-term car rental: an alternative to buying